See I think there is contradicition in your post. If it works for england then it's not really selfish. There are two basic things a batsman can do for the team; score runs or occupy the crease. Pietersen is capabale of doing either or both depending on the situation. People will point to his dismissal at Edgbaston last summer, but this is countered IMO by the fact that for the few times he has done that, he has played a great innings to the team's benefit.

KP would call Allan Border selfish. KP is the definition of a selfish cricketer. It works for him though, and it works for England.

Well it's worked for him, not so sure it's worked for England going by results. e.g. recent loss vs Windies.

Regarding the first of those situations Top Cat, I remember that match and for a player like Gilly I don't think survival was really an option on that surface, he probably figured that he didn't have the technique to stick around so his best option was to score some quick runs before his number came up, didn't come off though. Fair enough about the second, had forgotten about that dismissal despite watching it!

Well it's worked for him, not so sure it's worked for England going by results. e.g. recent loss vs Windies.

Regarding the first of those situations Top Cat, I remember that match and for a player like Gilly I don't think survival was really an option on that surface, he probably figured that he didn't have the technique to stick around so his best option was to score some quick runs before his number came up, didn't come off though. Fair enough about the second, had forgotten about that dismissal despite watching it!

Personally, the Aussies over-estimated the lethality of the Mumbai deck in 2004.